The Gloucester High School boys’ basketball team competed in the Tabb High BayPort Holiday Tournament on Dec. 27 and 28, posting one win and losing one game.

On Friday, Dec. 27, the GHS boys battled it out against Poquoson. In that game, Dukes’ player Jacob Woods threw down 20 points, 15 of which came in three-point fashion. Juwan Thornton put up 16 points, while E.J. Warley had 12. The game came down to the wire, but the Dukes came up two points shy of the win, losing in overtime, 55-53.

On Saturday, the Dukes came to play despite the previous night’s loss. Going up against Middlesex, the three previous mentioned players continued to put up double-digit numbers. Thornton flashed while putting up a game high 21 points. Woods had a similar showing with a total of 20 points. Warley finished the game with 14. In the end, the Dukes won the game, 68-53. 

According to coach Rick Garner, Warley stood out in both games by providing incredible defense. His performance gave him a nomination to the all-tournament team, along with his teammates, Woods and Thornton. Thornton was the only player of the trio to win his nomination.

This tournament was big for the Dukes, who played well despite being without their leading scorer, senior Jayden Whiting. The focus that the Dukes showed in this tournament showed the team’s grit and determination. On Tuesday, the GHS boys were scheduled to face Hampton at home.